Director of Quality

Director of Quality

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in quality management within the commercial aviation or aerospace industry.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and scaling QMS within FAA Part 21 (PMA) and Part 145 (MRO) operations.
• Proven experience managing quality for Supplemental Type Certification (STC) projects, including LRU and aircraft conformity.
• In-depth knowledge of aviation quality standards and regulations, including FAA regulations, ISO standards, AS9100, and NADCAP requirements.
• Experience in supplier quality management, including supplier qualification, receiving inspection, first article inspection (AS9102), and supplier audits.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing a team of quality professionals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across functions and with external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with experience in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Ability to travel as needed to support supplier audits, certification activities, and other quality-related initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive quality management system to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Oversee the administration and ongoing management of the QMS, including documentation, process control, and record-keeping.
• Ensure alignment with AS9100 standards and other applicable aviation quality standards.
• Oversee all regulatory and certification activities, including FAA audits, repair station approvals, and PMA compliance.
• Manage the quality aspects of Supplemental Type Certification (STC) projects, including the conformity of Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and aircraft as required for FAA approval.
• Lead communication and coordination with FAA representatives and other regulatory bodies.
• Develop and manage supplier quality programs, including supplier qualification, receiving inspection, and first article inspection in accordance with AS9102 requirements.
• Conduct supplier audits to ensure compliance with quality standards and contractual requirements.
• Drive supplier performance improvements through data analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage receiving inspection processes to ensure that all materials and components meet specified quality requirements.
• Oversee first article inspection (FAI) processes in compliance with AS9102 requirements.
• Implement and manage processes to ensure conformity of LRUs and aircraft during STC and production activities.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the Quality team, including hiring, training, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to drive quality improvements across the organization.
• Identify opportunities for process and product improvement through root cause analysis, data analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and other quality metrics to track performance and drive improvements.
• Leverage Lean Six Sigma and other industry best practices to enhance operational efficiency and product quality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with the FAA and other regulatory agencies.
• Certification as a Quality Auditor or Quality Engineer.
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing and repair station environments.